Who could replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly Come Dancing?

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People across the country were surprised to learn that Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are leaving their roles as hosts of Strictly Come Dancing.

The couple announced their decision to retire in a joint statement, saying it felt like the perfect moment to step down.

We’re incredibly excited for the rest of this fantastic series and want to express our huge gratitude to the BBC and everyone involved in making the show. They are a truly exceptional team, and we’ll miss working with them dearly.

It’ll be sad to say ‘keep dancing’ for the last time, but we’ll still encourage each other. Maybe we’ll be doing it from the comfort of our homes, wearing comfy clothes and enjoying some pizza.

With Claudia Winkleman’s approval of the new hosts – she believes they’ll be fantastic – everyone’s been guessing who will take on the glamorous job and succeed on the show.

Here’s a look at the rumors and predictions about who might take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as hosts of Strictly Come Dancing.

Who could replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly Come Dancing?

Janette Manrara and Fleur East

Janette Manrara and Fleur East are strong contenders to take over, since they both already host the show ‘It Takes Two’.

In 2021, Janette Manrara became a host on It Takes Two after leaving her role as a professional dancer on the main show, replacing Zoe Ball. Fleur East joined her in 2023, shortly after competing in the main show’s final with Vito Coppola.

According to bet365, the pair have odds of 5/2 and 7/2, with East leading the charge.

Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton

Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton, who previously won Strictly Come Dancing, are considered likely candidates to become the show’s new hosts, with bookmakers giving them 8 to 1 odds.

The couple first connected on the show Strictly in 2018, which they also won. They started dating in 2019 and welcomed their first child in 2023.

Rylan Clark

Rylan Clark has odds of 6/1 to be named the new presenter on Strictly.

Like many of the names being discussed, Rylan Clark is already familiar with Strictly Come Dancing, having hosted the It Takes Two spin-off show from 2019 to 2023.

Since 2018, he’s been a co-commentator for the UK’s Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals, and frequently appears on BBC Radio 2.

Hannah Waddingham

Hannah Waddingham is an actress and singer who gained widespread recognition for playing Rebecca Welton in the hit show Ted Lasso. She won an Emmy Award for her performance as a supporting actress in a comedy series.

Waddingham recently showcased her live presenting talent by co-hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with Alesha Dixon when the event was held in the UK, demonstrating she’s well-prepared for a role on Strictly.

In addition to her other work, she’s a well-known musical theatre actress, having played leading roles in productions like The Wizard of Oz, Spamalot, and A Little Night Music. She’s also a popular host, having presented the Olivier Awards two years in a row, in 2023 and 2024.

Zoe Ball

Zoe Ball took over from Claudia Winkleman as the host of It Takes Two and stayed in the role until 2021.

She’s familiar with Strictly Come Dancing, having previously hosted its live tour in 2011 and 2015, and even competed as a contestant back in 2005.

Roman Kemp

Roman Kemp is a radio and TV presenter, and currently presents The One Show.

Gavin Kemp is being talked about as a possible new host for Strictly Come Dancing, and bookmakers currently give him 5/1 odds of getting the job.

Alesha Dixon

Alesha Dixon is a singer and television personality currently judging on Britain’s Got Talent. She previously competed on and experienced the excitement of Strictly Come Dancing.

She first gained recognition by winning a television program in 2007, and then became a judge on the same show from 2009 to 2012.

She’s hosted major events like Children in Need and the BRIT Awards, and most recently co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool in 2023.

Alan Carr

I’ve been absolutely loving Alan Carr on The Celebrity Traitors – he’s genuinely brilliant! It’s got me thinking how much I miss Chatty Man, honestly. Everyone seems to be saying the same thing – bring it back! It was such a fun show, and he’s just naturally funny.

Although Alan Carr hasn’t been involved with Strictly Come Dancing, he’s hosted several other popular TV events, including Channel 4’s Comedy Gala, Stand Up to Cancer, and Picture Slam.

Emma Willis

Emma Willis, a popular TV host, is a strong contender to become the next host of Strictly Come Dancing, with bookmakers giving her 10/1 odds. Her extensive experience makes her a well-qualified candidate.

As a longtime viewer, I’ve always enjoyed Emma Willis’ work. She really became a fixture on my screen starting in 2013 when she took over hosting duties for both Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother, and she also handled the aftershow, Bit on the Side. But it wasn’t just reality TV – she also jumped into hosting The Voice UK in 2014, and remarkably, she’s still at it, which is a testament to her talent and appeal.

I also see her hosting shows like The Circle and the UK version of Love Is Blind – she actually co-hosts that one with her husband, Matt Willis, which is pretty cute!

And finally… Graham Norton

Frances Taylor – TV Previews Editor, TopMob

Do you recall those popular BBC talent shows from the 2000s that aimed to find the next big stars for London’s West End? Remember Jodie Prenger winning ‘I’d Do Anything’ and going on to play Nancy, or Lee Mead becoming Joseph in ‘Any Dream Will Do’?

I absolutely loved watching Graham Norton host those shows! They reminded me a lot of Strictly – he was brilliant at celebrating the contestants when they did well, and offering a comforting word when they didn’t. But what I really enjoyed was his playful banter with the judges – he wasn’t afraid to challenge them! Honestly, only Graham could get away with calling Andrew Lloyd Webber “his nibs” and still make everyone laugh. He was just a natural!

As expected from such a talented host, Norton led the show with style and energy. His easy charm, quick humor, and ability to think on his feet made the whole performance look completely natural and effortless.

The news that Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are leaving Strictly Come Dancing has fueled speculation about the show’s future. With two of its main hosts moving on, the BBC needs to find a strong replacement to ensure the show remains successful. Many believe Graham Norton is the perfect choice – his experience and popularity could be exactly what the show needs at this uncertain time.

The BBC is always looking for ways to save money, so here’s a suggestion: the actor would be great playing both ‘Tess’ and ‘Claud.’ Instead of having two hosts, why not have him quickly switch between the roles, running up and down the stairs? That would solve the problem and cut costs!

Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday 25th October at 6:20pm.

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2025-10-24 13:06